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general discussion => ALL mechanical and technical related questions => Topic started by: colkking on January 19, 2018, 01:02:05 PM

Title: Dash removal...
Post by: colkking on January 19, 2018, 01:02:05 PM
Hey guys!
Starting to tear down my M16, and am about to hit the cab.
Any pointers or advice on how to best remove the dash?
Thanks!
KK
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: Darth_Kitten on January 19, 2018, 01:50:20 PM
It's pretty straightforward except if you encounter any rusted fasteners.
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: colkking on January 19, 2018, 02:02:38 PM
Thanks, Darth!
Yeah, I am getting my money's worth out of PB Blaster and cheater bars!  :-)
Looking at a warm day tomorrow (above 45 F), so will be working on the beast.

Cheers,
Ken
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: Darth_Kitten on January 19, 2018, 02:52:30 PM
The tricky ones are the captive nuts at the top of the dash that bolt to the top of the cowl. Hopefully none of those are too stubborn
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: Torque on January 19, 2018, 06:37:07 PM
I welded 7/16" nuts to all the armor screws that go into the captive nuts. With the heat and ability to put a wrench on them they screwed out pretty good.
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: spec4don on January 19, 2018, 06:43:51 PM
We went the other way, and drilled out the head of the bolt. Either way should work. Did have to make our own new cage nuts.

Don G
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: Darth_Kitten on January 19, 2018, 08:44:22 PM
If you need replacement captive nuts I have a few.
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: emptyhead on January 21, 2018, 06:03:15 AM
As do I they are just taking up space
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: steve1973 on January 22, 2018, 04:22:39 PM
As Don mentioned we drilled out all the armor bolts (i have thousands of them to use as replacements ;)) and attempted to drill out and re tap the captive nuts. Some worked out ok but not all. My other friend had the bright idea to weld a new nut onto the captive nut and then drilling out the captive nut for clear passage. If I were to do it again I would put new captive nuts in place. I just hope it all lines up when I put the top armor cowl plate on. ??? Here are some photos of the location of all the captive nut bolts marked by an arrow. There are five total.

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180119_195407A.jpg)

(http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/data/500/medium/20180119_195433A.jpg)

Steve A.
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: colkking on February 23, 2018, 04:47:19 PM
Well, I finally got the bolts out from the topside--heat didn't work and PB Blaster didn't work, but tungsten carbide cutting bits sure did!
Chopped out the head of all the top bolts..
I reckon the only thing left holding the dash in now are the two little countersunk bolts on the corners, connecting the dash to the side armor panels in front of the doors..

Soo, anybody out there got any spare captive nuts?  :-)

Thanks,
KK
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: Darth_Kitten on February 23, 2018, 05:33:34 PM
Hi Kevin, I do. Let me know how many you need and I'll send em your way.
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: steve-0 on February 23, 2018, 06:12:59 PM
unless you plan on removing your dash regularly just use nyloc lock nuts with a flat washer

thats what I did and then you will be able to line up the slots.

use an open end wrench with a piece of paper wedged between the nut ad wrench to keep them stuck together, then you can position the nut correctly.
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: emptyhead on February 25, 2018, 06:29:43 AM
If for some reason you dont get any captive nuts shoot me a message I have extra
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: colkking on February 26, 2018, 05:28:34 PM
Thanks, everyone!!

The dash is OUT!  :-)
Firewall out...getting to the bare bones!   ;D
Title: Re: Dash removal...
Post by: WayOffTrack on March 06, 2018, 10:19:49 AM
I tried the method of welding a nut to the screw heads of the capture nuts and they all screwed out except for one that broke off but it had already been damaged so this works really well.  ;D